The purpose of this petition is to remove and replace the current director with an honest, compassionate leader who will follow the Hayden Act (protects animals in shelters),  respect legislation and ordinances designed to set standards for the protection of animals, our community and public interests. (Note:  Items 51-54 added.  #54 is a powerful summary by Georgia L of the damage to our animals and community) 

CONSEQUENCES OF INACTION, INERTIA, FAILED POLICY
1
Since 2020, a 53% increase in total animal intake from 5,207 (2020) to 7,989 (2024). This does not include animals left in the street at the direction of Animal Control Staff.  (7,989-5207=2,782/5207=53%)
2
Since 2020, a 51% increase in annual intake of dead animals, from 1,246 (2020) to 1,880 (2024)  (1,880-1,246=634/1,246=51%)
3
Since 2020, a 287% increase in euthanasia of animals from 724 (2020) to 2,805 (2024) (2,805-724=2081/724=287%)

COMMUNITY
4
Failure to utilize $300,000 of the Restricted Grand Funds ($100,000/year for 3 years)  Years: 2022, 2023, 2024) to provide low cost spay/neuter to the 'community'  as promised, pursuant to the San Manuel Band of Indians Restricted Grant Agreement dated May 1, 2021
5
Failure to utilize the $1.1 million Spay/Neuter Mobile Veterinary Vehicle for low cost spay neuter as promised, pursuant to the San Manuel Band of Indians RESTRICTED Grant Agreement dated May 01, 2021.  Vehicle has only been used to dispense $5 microchips and $5 vaccines (not including rabies) as the city is without a Veterinarian. Vehicle was said to be deployed at a ribbon cutting ceremony in March of 2024.

UPDATE:  Not only has the Department of Animal Services failed to 'deploy' the Vehicle for the purpose intended, Kris Watson, Director,  failed to spend $525,000 on the Vehicle and where the money went remains a mystery.  A public records request disclosed $75,000 was spent on the truck, $10,000 on the wrap and $590,000 on the actual vehicle/trailer.    $525,000 remains unaccounted for!    An additional $200,000 provided specifically for operating expenses attributable to the operation of the vehicle remains unaccounted for!  
6
Misuse of $300,000 in Restricted Grant funding for 'shelter' animals instead of animals in the community as promised and pursuant to the San Manuel Band of Indians Restricted Grant Agreement dated May 1, 2021.  UPDATE:  $300,000 remains unaccounted for!

Over $1,000,000 of restricted grant money received from the San Manuel Band of Indians specifically for spay/neuter utilizing the mobile veterinary vehicle remains unaccounted for.  

7
Failure to request permission, as required, in writing, from the San Manuel Band of Indians to use $300,000 in RESTRICTED grant funding for the spay/neuter of Shelter animals, rather than animals in the community. 
8
Failure to acquire approval, as required, in writing, from the San Manuel Band of Indians to use $300,000 in RESTRICTED grant funding for the spay/neuter of Shelter animals instead of animals in the community. 
9
Under utilizing the Spay/Neuter Mobile Veterinary Vehicle for $5.00 vaccines (not rabies) and $5 microchips instead of low cost spay/neuter
10
Hoarding resources (intended for the public) for the spay/neuter of Shelter Animals by limiting availability to the public. And, utilizing the premises of the  City Shelter, to accommodate  the mobile spay/neuter vehicle of <thepawmission.org> a non-profit who receives grant money to benefit the community, not municipalities.

POLICY
11
Failure to enforce the spay/neuter ordinance
12
Failure to create policy related to the intake of intact female dogs resulting in their pregnancies at the Shelter and releasing them to the public pregnant
13
Failure to ensure the spay of potentially pregnant female dogs prior to adoption
14
Failure to create policy and procedures to provide immediate attention and support to the adoption of any dog adopted pregnant 
15
Failure to implement cost effective programs and cost saving services such a grooming and training to enhance the likely hood of adoption through the solicitation of volunteers:  i.e.  groomers and dog trainers.

VIOLATIONS\OF THE HAYDEN ACT:  The primary purpose of legislation is to create and define the rules and laws that govern a society. It serves to regulate behavior, authorize actions, provide funding, implement sanctions, and grant or deny rights. Legislation is a fundamental tool for shaping society by setting standards, promoting fairness, and protecting public interests. 

Hayden Act Section1(a) The Legislature finds and declares the following:
16
(1) Public and private shelters and humane organizations share a common purpose in saving animal's lives, preventing animal suffering and eliminating animal abandonment.  Note:  Constituents advised to return domestic animals to the location where found.  
17
1b(3) Shelters should aggressively promote spay and neuter programs to reduce the pet overpopulation.
18
1b(4)Shelters should not adopt out animals that are not spayed or neutered.  Note:  Free adoption events are regularly held promoting 'unaltered' animals, requiring a minimal refundable deposit of $55 (nothing more than a 'rehoming' fee for those who choose to keep their pets intact and inevitably end up pregnant or impregnate). 
19
1d The legislature finds and declares that statutory law prescribes the type of treatment that private citizens must extend to stray animals they voluntarily pick up and that public and private animal shelters should be held to the same legal duties as those that exist for private citizens.
20
1€ The legislature finds and declares that it is better to have public and private shelters pick up or take in animals than private citizens. The Legislature further finds that the taking in of animals is important for public health and safety, to aid in the return of the animal to its owner and to prevent inhumane conditions for lost or free roaming animals. Note:  Individual callers are told to leave animals on the street or return cats to the location where found.
21
The Legislature finds and declares that shelters should be required by law to take in lost animals and properly care for them with prompt veterinary care, adequate nutrition, shelter, exercise and water. Note:  Numerous animals are left on the street to fend for themselves with Animal Control Officers stating they have other priorities or simply ignoring requests for pick-up

BUDGET
22
Failure to implement cost effective and cost saving veterinary services related to spay/neuter by employing an on site 'relief' vet to cost effectively manage veterinary expenses, resulting in spending/paying  private veterinarians 2 and 3 times the cost of surgery.  
23
Refusal to utilize Relief Vets for the spay/neuter of Shelter animals resulting in the misuse of funds from the San Manuel Restricted Grant Agreement dated May 1, 2021.
24
Failure to calculate variable costs attributable to overhead associated with the live intake, resulting in the shortage of dog food and microchips.  This has resulted in an insufficient inventory of microchips, dog food and the inablilty to create an accurate budget.

VETERINARY CARE
25
Failure to 'timely' create a position for 'relief vets'
26
Failure to provide alternative programs for dogs listed for euthanasia
27
Disregard for public health by releasing thousands of dogs/cats without a rabies vaccine in the absence of a Vet
28
Failure to hire a certified behaviorist to evaluate dogs and train staff

LACK OF TRANSPARENCY & DECEPTIVE PRACTICES
29
Announcing to the press, March 2024,  Deployment of the $1.1 Mobile Spay/Neuter Vehicle when only used for nominal and limited services, microchips and DHPP Vaccine
30
Promoting the inability to hire a veterinarian due to a National Shortage, knowing relief vets would be an option
31
Promotion of Programs to the public such as trap-n-release deemed non-responsive
32
Failing to disclose to the Mayor, City Manager and City Council (for several years) until depleted, the misuse of 'restricted' grant funding for community spay/neuter ($300,000 or $100,000 a year for 3 years) on Shelter Animals

MANIPULATION OF SHELTER INTAKE DATA
33
Manipulation of shelter data as evidenced through reaching precisely 50% of 7,028 (total animal intake) collectively for DISPOSALS (dead animals) and euthanized dogs in 2023

COMMISSIONERS - ANIMAL CONTROL
34
Treating the Commissioners with complete disregard 
35
Failure to schedule Commission meetings 
36
Failure to timely disclose to Commission the contract agreement proposed to provide services to the cities of Colton, Rialto and Fontana

LACK OF ETHICS
37
Failure to meet the expected behaviors for all city employees, emphasizing ethical conduct, professionalism, respect for colleagues and the public, adherence to laws and policies, and proper use of city resources, while also specifying consequences for violations of these standards
38
Failure to demonstrate effective performance, proper personnel conduct, and continuing fitness and qualification for the position.
39
Deceptive:  Provided false information to a Police Sergeant, local newspaper reporter and Animal Services Commissioner  regarding the interview of individuals for the position of veterinarian when there were none.  No applicants identified when verified through a public records request 
40
Incompetency/inefficiency and inablity to perform 
41
Neglect of Duty

City of San Bernardino Personnel Rules, Rule 7 - Disciplinary Procedures

7-1 A regular classified employee may be disciplined by dismissal, suspension, demotion or reduction in rank or compensation in accordance with this Rule and the applicable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
42
7-2 Causes:  Disciplinary actions shall not be taken except for cause related to performance of duty, personal conduct or qualifications of the employee which causes may include but are not limited to (d) Dishonesty.  (f) Any conduct that impairs, disrupts or causes discredit to the City, to public service, or other employee's employment.  (J) Incompetency, inefficiency and/or inability to perform (m) Neglect of duty (p) Violation of the Charter, Municipal code, ordinances, resolutions, or any rules regulations or policies which may be prescribed by the City Council, the Appointing Authority, the Department Director, Manager or Supervisor.  

OPERATIONAL FAILURES
43
Running out of microchips, even though the San Manuel Restricted Grant provided $12,000, enough to purchase 9,000 microchips
44
Failure to Register Microchips 
45
Failure to disclose Relief Vets would be an option to benefit Shelter surgeries as well as the $1.1 million Spay/Neuter Mobile Unit
46
Failure to create a written plan to accommodate the service agreement to accept animals from Rialto, Colton and Fontana resulting in a complete lack of readiness and euthanasia of animals due to a lack of space
47
Providing assurance to the Mayor and City Council the City would be 'ready' to accept animals effective June 1, 2024 based on the delivery of kennels that 7 months later were still not in place resulting in over crowding and a surge in euthanasia

CRUEL & INHUMANE PRACTICES
48
Euthanizing dogs without sedation.  Not illegal by cruel
49
Feeding dogs (large breed) only 1 cup of food a day exacerbating dog fights
50
Placing 4 -6 dogs in one kennel resulting in over crowding and the mauling of dogs

51
Violation of California Penal Code 579-Illegal abandonment of domestic animals.  Directing staff tell the public to leave stray animals where found or return them where found and 'shoo' them away, creating a script used by Animal Services Representatives and Animal Control Officers rejecting animals brought to the Shelter, using the same script.  

52
Failure to act without urgency to timely separate new arrivals and provide a series of medical testing required to get a distemper virus outbreak under control, lasting well over one month and resulting in the euthanasia of hundreds of animals.  
53
Failure to validate the spay/neuter of hundreds of animals (2,099 in 2024) relinquished to non-profit rescues, subsequently finding some pregnant.

54. Gina L (Inland Empire Animal Coalition) delivered a powerful rebuke to Kristine Watson on 6/23/25 at the Animal Shelter Commissioner's Meeting.  Transcribed verbatim is the stunning summary of damage to our animals and the community.  Link for audio https://www.facebook.com/InlandEmpireAnimalCoalition/videos/612366978571630/?app=fbl 

" Ms. Watson, I'm not surprised to see that you’re jumping ship now that it’s already sunk. You didn’t build a department. You buried it. And now you’re fleeing a crime scene. This department didn’t collapse overnight, you decimated it. You dismantled public trust, abandoned community safety, and treated living beings like trash, sent out the back door to be rendered into byproducts. You deserve termination, not the dignity of an early retirement. And I sincerely hope legal action follows you out the door.
Jasmine, don’t get too comfortable. You won’t be far behind. Your names already tied to a legacy of cruelty and mismanagement. After all, you’re a reject from the infamous Riverside County Department of Animal Services. You should be held accountable too.
As for this Commission: shame on all of you. You were appointed to represent us, the public, not to rubber-stamp every failed policy from this director. Your silence has made you complicit in cruelty and neglect. You don’t question. You don’t intervene. And you clearly don’t care enough to see what’s actually happening.
Dogs killed without sedation, not just neonates, but fully conscious, trembling, terrified dogs, pleading for their lives. Some likely watch others die, killed so close together, their snouts likely wrapped tightly with a leash. The horror. This isn’t euthanasia. It’s barbaric, and it’s the inhumane killing of sentient beings.
How many of you have even read the resolution that governs this Commission? Most of you don’t even qualify to sit here. You’re not advising City Council, you’re enabling corruption, because you have no idea what you’re doing. And that disqualifies you from serving. You don’t need to be an expert in animal law to walk your ward and talk to your constituents. But you haven’t done that either. Those who come before you are ignored and dismissed. That’s a violation of your oath, if you ever took it, and a violation of public trust.
This isn’t just mismanagement. It’s willful negligence. It’s inhumane and cruel, plain and simple. And it’s a dereliction of your duty to the animals in our community.
This isn’t over. We’re not going away. And none of you should be allowed to quietly ride this out. Every one of you should be held to account.
And let’s be clear, the last meeting was cancelled due to improper notice. That’s a violation of the Brown Act, again. You can’t stop us from showing up, Kris. And you should be decommissioned anyway. You’re useless to our animals. Good riddance."

NOTE: 'Total Intake Data files; for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 acquired  through a series of public records requests, sorted and assimilated by category to arrive at annual percentages. Information provided on this summary has also been acquired through public records requests. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:  A very special thanks to Georgia L for alerting me to the acquisition of the Mobile Spay/Neuter Vehicle (leading to multiple public record requests), helpful collaboration and the sharing of data files which sped up the process of comparative analysis. 

Lydia Savala is the proud author of this petition and may be reached via email at <lydiasavala@icloud.com>